Mat cleaning apparatus



Feb. 21, 1967 c. DOERSCHLAG MAT CLEANING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 20. 1966 INVENTOR. CH S IAN D0RSCHLA I I /2 am MAT CLEANINGAPPARATUS Filed Jan. 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CHRISTIANDOERSCH LA BW D AT'Y MEWS Feb. 21, 1967 c. DQERSCHLAG MAT CLEANINGAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 20. 1966 INVENTOR. CHRISTIANDOERSCHLAG l TRDFZNEVS FIG. 3

United States Patent Ofifice 3,304,566 Patented Feb. 21, 1967 3,304,566MAT CLEANHNG APPARATUS Christian Doerschiag, Zanesville, Ohio, assignorto Dura Corporation, Oak Park, Mich, a corporation of Michigan FiledJan. 243, 1966, Ser. No. 521,944 9 Claims. (CI. 77)

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for washing,scrubbing and drying mats such as vehicle floor mats, for example.

In the typical automatic vehicle washing system, the interior of thevehicle to be washed is initially manually cleaned. Owners of manyvehicles utilize supplemental mats to cover the interior floors of thevehicles which mats become covered with dirt, mud, or the like and mustbe cleaned with a washing liquid. The cleaning process has heretoforebeen accomplished by an attendant removing the mat from the interior ofthe vehicle, applying a washing liquid thereto to loosen and remove theaccumulated dirt, rinsing the mat, and finally manually drying the same.

The object of the present invention is to produce an apparatus forautomatically washing, scrubbing, and drying articles such as vehiclefloor mats, for example.

Another object of the invention is to produce an automatic washingapparatus for vehicle floor mats and the like, wherein both of the upperand lower surfaces of the mat are treated simultaneously.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparentfrom reading the following detailed description of an embodiment thereofin the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the outer housing of the mat cleaningapparatus of the invention diagrammatically illustrating the path of amat therethrough;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the outer housingremoved and certain parts brokenaway to more clearly illustrate theinvention; and

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the inventionwith portions broken-away to clearly illustrate the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an automatic mat washingapparatus embodying the features of the invention and including an outerhousing generally indicated by reference numeral 10 comprising a frontwall 12 and a pair of opposed spaced apart side walls 14, 16. The frontwall 12 is provided with an opening or mat receiving aperture 18 whichhas -a cooperating outwardly projecting shelf support 20. A mat M,typically formed of clear plastic, rubber, or the like resilientmaterial, is adapted to be received by the apparatus through theaperture 18. The mat M is caused, by a plurality of driven brushes anddrying rollers, to be explained in greater detail hereinafter, to bepulled or driven through the apparatus and in its cleaned andsubstantially dried condition may be received at the uppermost portionof the apparatus on a slightly inclined surface 22,

The apparatus comprises a pair of spaced apart Ver tically disposed sideplates 24 and 26 which are adapted to receive an arcuate assembly ofbearings for journalling opposite ends of a series of drive rolls 32.The ends of the shafts of the drive roll 32 adjacent to side plate 24are provided with sprockets 34 which are keyed or otherwise suitablysecured thereto. The sprockets 34 are drivingly interconnected by anendless chain 36. The tension of the chain 36 is maintained by an idlersprocket 38 which is suitably journalled in a bearing member disposed inthe side plate 24. The sprockets 34 are driven by a drive sprocket 40which is keyed to one end of a shaft 42. The other end of the shaft 42is provided with a sprocket 44 which is coupled to a sprocket 45 of adrive motor 46 through a suitable step-down or reduction gear train.

More specifically, the gear train for. driving the rolls 32 comprises aprimary drive sprocket 48 which is connected to the motor sprocket 45 bya chain 50. Keyed to the same shaft as the sprocket 48 is a smallersprocket 52 which is connected to a larger sprocket 54 by a chain 56. Asmaller sprocket 58 is keyed to the same shaft as the larger sprocket 54and in turn is connected to the sprocket 44 by a chain 60. In a typicalinstallation, the gear reduction is such that in order to obtain onerevolution of the drive sprocket 44, there must be approximatelytwenty-five revolutions of the armature of the motor sprocket 45.

Cooperating with-the drive rolls 32 are two sets of idler rolls 62 and64. The set of idler rolls 62 is interdigitated between the idler rolls64 and the rolls are arranged such that their longitudinal axes areparallel With one another. It will be appreciated that the opposite endsof the idler rolls 62 and 64 are journalled within bearings suitablymounted in the side plates 24 and 26. As is clearly apparent from thedrawings, in the preferred embodiment, the outside diameters of therolls 62 are larger than the outside diameters of the rolls 64.

The mounting of the drive rolls 32 and the idler rolls 62 and 64 isachieved such that each set of rolls is disposed in an arcuate pathwhich paths are all struck from the same center point. Morespecifically, all of the center points of rotation of the drive rolls 32are on an arc struck from a common center point. Likewise, the centerpoints of the idler rolls 62 and 64 are on respective arcs struck fromthe same center point as the drive rolls 32. However, it will be notedthat the center points of the idler rolls 62 and 64 are slightlyradially offset from the center point of the particular drive roll 32with which they cooperate. As will be more clearly apparent hereinafter,this relationship is among the important features of the invention andprovides the means by which the mat M, being treated, can be readilydriven through the desired arcuate path.

Preferably, the drive rolls 32 and the idler rolls 62, 64 are eachcovered with a layer of resilient material such as for example acylindrical layer of foamed polyurethane resin.

At the inlet or entrance of the assembly, there are disposed twocooperating pinch rolls 66 and 68 immediately adjacent the mat receivingaperture 18 0f the outer housing. The pinch rolls 66, 68 are journalledto rotate within respective bearings mounted in the side plates 24 and26. The upper roll 66 is provided with a gear element 67 mounted on theshaft thereof and positioned on the outer side of the plate 24. Thelower roll 68 is provided with a gear element 69 mounted on the shaftthereof and positioned on the outer side of the plate 24. The gears 67and 69 are disposed such that the teeth are in meshed gearing relation.The lower roll 68 has a sprocket 70 keyed thereto adjacent the innersurface of the side plate 24. The sprocket 70 is drivinglyinterconnected with the chain 36 which is also adapted to drive thesprockets 34 of the drive rollers 32.

It will be appreciated that as the sprocket 70 is caused to be rotated,the pinch roll 68 and its associated gear 69 will be rotated.Simultaneously, the gear 69 will drive the gear 67 causing theassociated pinch roll 66 to rotate in a direction opposite to that ofthe roll 68.

Disposed in spaced relation behind the pinch rolls 66, 68, there is apair of cooperating cylindrical brushes 72 and 74. These brushes are ofa conventional type and have radially extending bristles which may beformed of synthetic or natural material. The brushes 72 and 74 aremounted to rotate in bearings disposed in the side plates 24 and 26. Oneof the ends of the shafts of the brushes 72 and 74 is caused to projectthrough the side plate 26. The shaft of the upper brush 72 is providedwith a sprocket 76, while the shaft of the lower brush 74 contains asprocket 78 (FIG. 2). The shaft which supports the brush 74 and containsthe sprocket 78, also carries the sprockets 48 and 52 which are keyed orotherwise suitably secured thereto.

The brushes are driven by a chain 80 which engages a pair of spacedidler sprockets 82 and 84 which are suitably journalled in bearingsmounted on a rearwardly extending brace or crossbar 85. The chain 80also engages the sprockets 76 and 78 and since the sprocket 78 is keyedto the same shaft as the sprocket 48, the rotation of movement thereofis imparted by the motor sprocket 45 of the drive motor 46 through thechain 50. Accordingly it will be seen that assuming the motor sprocket45 is caused to be driven in a counterclockwise direction, the sprockets48 and 78 will be driven in a counterclockwise direction and thesprocket 76 will be driven in a clockwise direction. Therefore, theassociated scrubbing brushes 72 and 74 will be caused to rotateclockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, thereby imparting thedesired scrubbing action to the mat M which is driven therebetween bythe pinch rolls 66 and 68, and the cooperating rolls 32, 62 and 64.

Between the pinch rolls 62, 64 and the brushes 72, 74, there is disposedan upper water delivery pipe 86 and a spaced lower water delivery pipe88. The upper pipe 86 is provided with a plurality of holes of nozzlesformed therein to direct water downwardly toward the zone between thebrushes 72 and 74. The lower water delivery pipe 88 is provided with aplurality of holes or nozzles formed therein to direct water upwardlytoward the zone between the brushes 72 and 74. The pipes 86 and 88 arecoupled to a source of washing liquid which may typically be water orunder certain operating conditions be water and soap or detergentmixture. It will be understood that the fluid delivered by the pipes 86and 88 constitutes the primary or initial washing medium for the mat M.

A pair of spaced apart horizontally disposed rinse pipes 94 and 96 arepositioned, as shown in FIG. 4, to supply the necessary rinse fluid,typically water, to the mat M travelling between the rolls 32, 62, and64. The pipes 94 and 96 are provided with a plurality of holes ornozzles which are formed to deliver respective sprays of water on theupper and lower surfaces of the mat M being cleaned.

An inclined plate 102 is mounted between the side plates 24 and 26 tocollect the fluids employed in washing andrinsing the mat M andemanating from the supply pipes 86, 88, 94, and 96. A collection trough104 is disposed at the lower end of the plate 102 to collect thematerial falling on the inclined surface of the plate 102. The trough104 is suitably connected to a drain to remove the material depositedtherein, not shown.

In operation, the mat M is placed on the support 20 and is manuallymoved inwardly until the leading edge of the mat is engaged by therevolving pinch rolls 66 and 68. The pinch rolls 66 and 68 force the matto travel between the counter rotating brushes 72 and 74. As the mattravels between the brushes 72 and 74, the liquid emanating from thesupply pipes 86 and 88 is directed in part on the opposite sides of themat and also moistens the bristles of the brushes to aid in the brushingand scrubbing operations.

The mat is then caused to be moved by the driven rolls 32 through thespace between the outer peripheries of the driven rolls 32 and the idlerolls 62, 64, and both sides thereof are adequately rinsed by the wateremanating from the supply pipes 94 and 96.

After the mat surfaces have been rinsed, the mat is caused to be movedbetween the rolls 32 and the rolls 62, 64 which function to move thewater remaining thereon. Finally, the mat M is deposited on the support22 and is ready to be reinstalled into the automobile.

During the operation of the apparatus, the Water from the supply pipes86, 88, 94, and 96 initially contacts respective surfaces of the matbeing cleaned and thence falls by gravity to the inclined plate 102 andthen is collected in the trough 104.

Since the drive rolls 32 are slightly radially offset from theassociated rolls 62, 64, the leading edge of the mat M is turnedslightly upwardly as it travels from one set of associated rolls toanother. Thus, a rather large number of rolls can be employed andassembled in a relatively compact space.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained theprinciple and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated anddescribed what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However,I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyillustrated and described.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a substantially flat mat elementcomprising:

a first and second set of rolls disposed in parallel closely spacedgenerally vertically extending arcuate paths, the rolls of each setbeing adapted to rotate about parallel axes to receive the mat elementbetween the outer peripheral surfaces thereof, the rolls of said secondset being radially offset from the rolls of said first set toeffectively cause the mat element to be directed arcuately upwardly asit passes between the rolls of said first and second sets;

means for driving certain of said rolls;

means for delivering the mat element between said sets of rolls;

means for brushing the surfaces of the mat element; and

fluid supply means for delivering fluid to the mat element for cleaningpurposes.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rolls of said firstand second sets are provided with resilient material on the peripheriesthereof.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second setsof rolls are spaced from one another an amount suflicient to provide asqueegee action on the mat element passing therebetween.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein only said first set ofrolls is driven by said driving means.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said delivery meansincludes a pair of substantially coextensive driven rolls.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said brushing meanscomprise a pair of counter rotating cylindrical brush elements.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fluid supply meansincludes a first spray for delivery a washing fluid to the mat elementfor assisting said brush means in removing accumulated foreign matterand a second 3,304,566 5 6 fluid spray means for delivering a rinsingfluid to the mat References Cited by the Examiner element subsequent tobeing brushed. UNITED STATES PATENTS 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6wherein said brushing means is disposed to accomplish the brushingaction 1,817,332 8/1931 Worran 15 77 on the mat element prior to entrythereof between the rolls 5 3,930,575 10/ 1933 Wy 6t 31 15 77 X of saidfirst and Second Sew 3,098,249 7/1963 ,Tice et al 15 102 X 9. Apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said second set of rolls is comprised ofsmall rolls interdigitated be- CHARLES WILLMUTH P'Zmary Exammer' tweenlarger rolls. E. L. ROBERTS, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT MAT ELEMENTCOMPRISING: A FIRST AND SECOND SET OF ROLLS DISPOSED IN PARALLEL CLOSELYSPACED GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING ARCUATE PATHS, THE ROLLS OF EACHSET BEING ADAPTED TO ROTATE ABOUT PARALLEL AXES TO RECEIVE THE MATELEMENT BETWEEN THE OUTER PERIPHERAL SURFACES THEREOF, THE ROLLS OF SAIDSECOND SET BEING RADIALLY OFFSET FROM THE ROLLS OF SAID FIRST SET TOEFFECTIVELY CAUSE THE MAT ELEMENT TO BE DIRECTED ARCUATELY UPWARDLY ASIT PASSES BETWEEN THE ROLLS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SETS; MEANS FORDRIVING CERTAIN OF SAID ROLLS; MEANS FOR DELIVERING THE MAT ELEMENTBETWEEN SAID SETS OF ROLLS; MEANS FOR BRUSHING THE SURFACES OF THE MATELEMENT; AND FLUID SUPPLY MEANS FOR DELIVERING FLUID TO THE MAT ELEMENTFOR CLEANING PURPOSES.